NUTRACEUTICALS
By their nature, nutraceuticals are substances that are consumed orally as an addition to a normal diet. These substances are much safer than traditional “drugs” in that they can be considered a form of food or nutrient. Toxicity levels are rarely attainable if they are used in reasonable amounts. Today, the most commonly used nutraceutical in pet health care is GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN SULFATE. The reason these two substances are so widely used is that in many patients, after a few weeks to two months of administration, very noticeable improvement in comfort, mobility and attitude are noticed. Because these substances tend to be incorporated into regenerating tissues the benefits of nutraceutical use are not generally seen “right away”. With drugs, we would see apparent comfort and improvement almost immediately… but at the expense of potential undesirable side effects. Let’s take a look at the most commonly used nutraceuticals…
GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE:
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound composed of a sugar and an amino acid and is involved with the body’s production of joint lubricants and shock absorption necessary to maintain healthy cartilage and joint function. It is Old dog… old joints. It’s time for some high quality food and supplements. manufactured in the body in the joint cartilage and is one of the major components involved with the formation of the critical lubricants and shock absorbers necessary to maintain and restore healthy joint performance. Any degeneration or injury to joint cartilage can result in the failure of the joint to produce sufficient cartilage repair and maintenance substances. The net result with time is a wearing down of the joint cartilage to the point where pain and swelling can substantially reduce joint function. This is what is commonly called degenerative joint disease (DJD) and Osteoarthritis. Glucosamine Sulfate plays a role in other body structures besides joints. It is involved in the formation of nails, tendons, skin, eyes, synovial fluid, bone, ligaments, heart valves and in mucous secretions of the digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts. It is created in the production of proteins associated with cellular growth and structure. Test tube and animal studies show glucosamine supplements help increase cartilage production and reduce inflammation. Absence of Glucosamine Sulfate in the diet can result in early aging of cells, loss of cellular function, susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infection, and cell death. Glucosamine Sulfate is one of the building blocks of the basic substance of articular cartilage. Glucosamine Sulfate may also aid in the rebuilding of damaged cartilage. Glucosamine as a nutritional supplement is extracted from crab, lobster or shrimp shells. There are three forms of Glucosamine so when purchasing it, look for the Sulfate form because it seems to be absorbed and utilized the best. Because dietary supplements are unregulated, the quality and contents may vary widely. Be sure to choose a product sold by a well established company, and read and understand the product label ingredient list. NuJoint Plus is our favorite joint supplement in conjunction with NuVet Plus.
Much of the research on Glucosamine Sulfate has taken place over the last ten years and it’s supplementation in a diet is thought to be helpful in preventing or limiting the following:
Inflamed joints, discs, and sciatic nerve breakdown and inflammation of synovial fluid Damage to muscles and ligaments Premature aging of cells Wearing down of articular cartilage Inelasticity of intervertebral discs
CHONDROITIN SULFATE
Research on Chondroitin Sulfate suggests its use may be beneficial in preventing stress injuries to joints as well as aiding in the repair of damaged connective tissue. This substance aids in keeping cartilage tissue from dehydrating and assists in cushioning impact stress. Some studies suggest that supplementation with Chondroitin Sulfate can reduce joint pain significantly. Other studies have shown that combining Chondroitin Sulfate with Glucosamine might improve each substance’s beneficial effects, but agreement on this issue in not unanimous. Unlike pain killers which only serve to dull the pain, Chondroitin Sulfate addresses the disease process itself. Chondroitin Sulfate may actually help the body to repair damaged cartilage and help restore joint integrity. It may protect existing cartilage from premature breakdown. Because chondroitin production by the body decreases with age, supplementation with this compound may be especially helpful for older dogs with arthritis. NuJoint Plus is our favorite joint supplement in conjunction with NuVet Plus.
Proper Mineral Supplementation
is vital for good health. If the body lacks vitamins, the body can still utilize minerals. But if the body lacks minerals, vitamins are not properly utilized. Research shows that minerals play a significant role against a variety of degenerative diseases including arthritis. However, the biggest challenge to mineral supplementation is the worldwide epidemic of mineral depletion and the body’s inability to readily absorb man-made minerals. So, how do you nourish your body with proper mineral supplementation? Zenza Ion5 mineral supplement is the answer.A unique concentrated blend of over 72 essential minerals and trace minerals, supercharged with our exclusive Energetics Technology™.
Through extensive research and development, Zenza Life Sciences™ has discovered a 5th generation mineral that offers a better and more effective delivery system – we call it ION5™. The effectiveness of ION5™ is unprecedented due to its already liquid ionic form that is similar to the fluid found in the human body making it more readily absorbed.
Zenza™ does not use any chemical process in developing ION5™ - we simply continue what nature has created through science and technology. No other mineral supplement is "naturally" as powerful!